A Sad Goodbye

We've led a simple kind of life,
Quite settled in our ways;
Just you and I, the world shut out,
We've spent these quiet days.

My dear old friend you've disappeared
Without a single sign.
I wonder if you were frightened
Or was your death benign?
Nothing less than unyielding death
Could keep you from my door.
I know your ways as well as mine.
You will be home no more.

I searched in all your favorite haunts
When you ignored my call,
Knowing it was useless, that you
Had gone beyond recall.
I had promised I'd outlive you.
You'd always have my care.
We would neither one be lonely,
The other always there.

I've locked and covered up the door
To keep the varmints out.
They will try to over run me
Without my friend about.
The others have their little place
Somewhere out in the yard.
That I can't even bury you
Is very, very hard.

So I will dig a spot for you,
The same as all the rest.
A place to remember Blackie,
The one I loved the best.
Perhaps I'll leave your feed bowl there
Or the ball you liked to bat.
The hole in my heart unfillable,
My dear old faithful cat.

By Joyce 5/28/03